Wednesday, October 31, 2012

As homeschoolers, we teach our daughters to do a lot of different life skills, including auto maintenance But, this one, we had to figure out on our own.

My 2007 Chevy Aveo had a burned out bulb on the drivers side headlight. I called a dealer, who wanted $120 to change the bulb. He would have put in the same bulb that I found at auto zone for $14, or a 2 pack of bulbs for $24. Being the frugal homeschooling wife/mom that I am (aka cheapskate), I bought the 2 pack of bulbs, and figured I would change it myself.

It couldn't be too hard, could it??? After all, back in 1970 something, I took powder puff mechanics and learned to change light bulbs, oil, belts, unflood a carburetor, change the air filter, change a battery, charge a battery, check and fill all fluids...... Only trouble is, they don't make cars like they did back in 1970 something.

Chevrolet, it is NOT funny that you now have to remove the grill guard/radiator guard to change a simple headlight bulb. This used to be a simple project, now its a major ordeal. And your how to car manual?? Its for the birds when it comes to the headlight spring.

The manual tells you to remove the spring, it doesn't tell you to see how the spring fits first, nor does it have a clear picture of it (neither does anyone on the Internet), nor does it tell you how to put the spring back in, nor does it tell you it will fly off as soon as you touch the screw.

First step, assemble all your tools, including a good cat. Why a cat? You will need that cat once the spring flies off and you can't find it when it lands 10 feet away in the gravel. If the cat had not jumped down from her perch on the engine and pounced on the spring, I'd still be looking for it. (nice kitty).

Anyway, I had to get the husband involved on this project, and we ended up having to remove the other headlight to study it see how to put the tension spring in.

This is what it should look like while together. I thought this post might help someone else trying to find a photo of how its supposed to look, as I could not find any other on the Internet, and the drawing in the book is not clear.

Hopefully these pictures will help someone reset the spring. FYI, if you notice, the spring isn't a normal corkscrew spring. Its actually a almost square shaped wire, with some loops and corners in it, set under a screw to apply tension to hold the bulb in place. Good luck!!

Needless to say, we got it done. I still think the dealer charging $120 to do this is robbery, but I now understand why.

I know several of my readers are in Germany, and I am asking you to check out this poster and keep an eye open for this missing American Girl. She is from a university not far from my home. Her family is very concerned and worried about her. If you have any ties to Germany, please forward this information to them. Somewhere, someone knows something. Even if she is fine, her family needs to know this.

Emilee Irsik- Missing Person

Help us find Emilee!

Emilee flew on British Airways to Hamburg, Germany arriving on October 20. She was to return to Wichita on October 26. Unfortunately, Emilee did not board her scheduled return flight and she has not rebooked on a later flight. Her cell phone has been off since she departed Dallas, TX on the 19th, and all attempts to contact her via email, Facebook, etc. have failed. It is possible that she visited Universität Trier, Leibniz Universität Hannover (official) oder Bielefeld university in Germany. She has been listed as a Missing Person with the NCIC registry.

There is a facebook page, created by her friends and family for people to gather or leave information and ideas. https://www.facebook.com/groups/emileeirsik/ , in Germany you can also check this one.If you know anything, please send a private message to that facebook page, and if possible leave a way for them to contact you back --(name, address, phone number), there AND notify authorities of what you know or saw. Include a way for them to contact you as well.

From the Huffington Paper
"An international search is underway for a Kansas college student who never returned from a trip to Europe earlier this month.
Emilee Irsik, 20, left from Wichita on Oct. 20 and headed for Germany, according to WIBW. She was expected to return to the United States on Oct. 26, but she didn't board her return flight.
Irsik's family says that her phone has been off since she left, and they haven't been able to make contact with her.
"While it was very out of character for her to have made this trip in such a secretive nature, it’s very unlike her even more so to not return when she had scheduled herself to come back," Irsik's mother, Sherry, told the Wichita Eagle.
When she didn't return from her fall break, her roommate in Kansas reportedly notified staff at the university, who called police.
Friends say Irsik, who's studying for a bachelor's degree in German at Emporia State University, may have visited Trier, Hanover, or Bielefeld Universities.A Facebook page has been set up to help find her. Anyone with information on Irsik's whereabouts is being asked to call ESU police at 785-341-5337 or the State Department at 202-647-4000 and ask to be transferred to the duty officer in Berlin."

Emilee is 5'4", approx. 125 lbs, light brown hair, and green eyes. She has triple ear piercings on both ears and a cartilage piercing at the top of one of her ears.

Emilee, if you can see this, please get word to a friend or your family. They need to know if your ok, or get you help if your not. They love you and are very worried.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Prayer for those who are in the path of Sandy. Some sources are saying Sandy may be more destructive than Katrina was. I have several friends who are expecting a visit from Sandy but they all seem to be prepared. They have food and water stocked up, laundry all done, food storage that doesn't require electric to prepare, blankets, some windows boarded up and more.

The soldiers guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during all weather.

I found this awesome picture on facebook. Sadly, I don't know who to credit it to, as it had no name.

We don't get hurricanes in Missouri, so I can only relate to this as a huge tornado that lasts a lot longer, and with more warning.

This picture comes from WTNH News Channel 8, in Milford, CT with 13-15 ft trampoline on power lines!

Battery Park, Manhattan. The center of the storm is still hours away...Photo by George Takei

We are following the hurricane as a science lesson for homeschool. the National Weather Service has some great information under the education section for both teachers and students, as well as NOAA.

Seaside Heights, NJ - Another view of the coaster is now a part of the Ocean. Before the storm it was on the boardwalk that no longer exists Photo by Mike Grol

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Another homeschooling mom enlightened me to SWAGBUCKS some time back. I joined (which gave her some free points) and I have been taking the daily polls, a few surveys and using their search engine. Once in a while I will order something by clicking through their site. I spend maybe 7-10 minutes a day on it. Well, it has paid off.

I just converted my SWAG points into Amazon gift cards-$45 worth. Hopefully I will be able to get a couple more before Christmas, but its a good start. (In fact, I already placed an Amazon order)

I also participate in MYPOINTS and have $30 in Walmart gift cards headed my way.

As pretty much a single income family (my husband works full time, I teach part time as an EMS instructor and work part time during the summer months), little things like $75 worth of gift cards 2 months before Christmas is a nice treat!

If you want more info on either program, let me know by sending me your email address and I will send you a link and an invite.

There is another program scheduled for November 29th from 10-11 AM, at the Mid Continent Library in Dearborn. It is open to homeschool, and preschool alike. The theme will be Mammals and hibernation. If you promote it to the list serv I would set the age limit at 2 to 6 years of age. I know that the library is promoting it towards the preschool children.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Every once in awhile, it is important for a one year old to be sure that the big people know who is truly in charge. One of the most effective ways to do this is to interrupt their sleep pattern. Here is how this works.

First, at bedtime, act real sleepy and rub your eyes. When asked by the big people if your ready for night night, agree and say yes. Fall asleep for about an hour. This sets the tone so you can catch them off guard later, and gives you a quick rest for energy that you will need for the rest of the night.

After an hour, the big people are asleep. Wait until you hear the biggest one snoring. That is you signal to start your fun surprise. Stand up in your bed and start yelling. Start with yelling "hi" real loud in the dark house. Then call each member of the house one at a time until you have woke up each one and they have told you night night, at least twice. Then say ok, giggle and lay back down.

Take another power nap for an hour.

Wake up again. It should now be around 1 in the morning. This time, real loud start yelling for a banana. Yell for it over and over, until you wake them all up (again) and they all again yell back at you night night. Giggle again and lay back down.

When it is 2:30, yell for cookies. After they are all awake again, fuss a little this time. Act real put out when you don't get the cookies you called for.

At 3:30, call for anything you can think of to get them awake again. I tried to yell for a cat and bubbles. I did not get a cat or bubbles, but I did get them all to wake up again. It was fun.

Take another power nap, but not until after you lay there and talk very loudly in your bed for another 30 minutes.

At 4:30, stand up and loudly yell "JD, tractor!!" Repeat "JD, tractor" over and over until you have again woke up everyone in the house, except for JD, because he can't hear you for his snoring. Get very mad and cry for 5 minutes because he did not give you the tractor ride you wanted....at 4:30 in the morning,

At 6 a.m., throw the bear, water sippy cup and your blanket all out of your crib, with a loud ought oh after each item is thrown. Make sure they hit the wall or the door for an extra loud effect. Then proceed to yell "help, help, help", until a big person comes and puts it all back into your bed, lays you back down, covers you back up and staggers out of the room back to their bed. Then giggle because by now they look funny with hair standing every which way and tired red eyes from lack of sleep.

At 6:30, start to sing and hum, loudly, which is easy because the rest of the house is quiet, until you fall back asleep at 7.

At 8:30, get very mad when the big person comes and tells you its time to get up. Tell her "no, my night night" and lay back down and close your eyes. Grab a hold of the sheet so she can't pick you up.

And, that is how you let big people know that you are the one in charge... And, as an extra benefit the next day you get a shorter nap and they let you play harder when it gets closer to bedtime!!

The above is a guest post by baby E, a frequent guest in our home, who has always slept a nice 10-12 hour night at our house until last night...For the proper method of eating lima beans, read her last post.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Mary Ann Kinsinger is the author of one of my favorite blogs A Joyful Chaos . She is also a book author. Life with Lily is the first in this series, and it is now out in stores, or you can order it from Amazon. You can also pre order the next book in the series as well. This would make a great Christmas present for any younger girls on your list. (FYI, its only 63 days until Christmas...)

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Elizabeth has had a passion for flying since she took her first Young Eagles (chapter 91) flight back in 2010 with pilot Chris St. Germain at the Lee's Summit Airport. Since that flight we have been actively attending the Young Eagles events. She has also learned how to read maps, studied the stars and is learning to use a flight computer.

Some of the pilots are beginning to recognize her as a frequent flier and as a result have been working with her and letting her have the control of the plane. Until now she has basically done straight flying. This afternoon however, with a dual control Cessna 182 she got to land and taxi down the runway back to the Young Eagles hanger. She was very excited.

Did you know that when you taxi (drive) the airplane on the ground, you control the direction of the airplane with foot pedals? The stick (sort of resembles a steering wheel) is not used on the ground. The same pedals are also used for the break. Think you could drive your car only using your feet? It would take a feat to do that!

Elizabeth at the controls

The plane she flew in today.

After she had her successful landing, we thought it fun to go eat at one of the Mexican Restaurants, Habanero's in Lee's Summit--take a look at the picture of the restaurant and you will see why we picked it.

She kept her landing on the ground, unlike this plane on the restaurant roof!

Make cheesy bread. My kids love it. Simply put shredded cheese (any kind) on top and pop it under the broiler for a few minutes. Goes great with soups or on its own. Today, it is going with tomato soup for our lunch.

You can also use garlic bread as well.

Leftover bread can also be shredded up and froze for stuffing.

You can also cube bread, and brush with melted butter and seasonings and toast it to make your own croutons.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Hey everyone! We are having our roller skating this Friday from 1:00 to 2:30 at the Northland Rolladium in Liberty. Kids are welcome to wear costumes this month. Please keep the costumes little kid friendly, and above the skate line so they don't trip. Admissions are $3.50 a person, includes skates.

Summer is fading, and fall is arriving here in farmland. The leaves are turning and falling. Hopefully I have mowed the yard for the last time. The garden is finished for this year, except for some cabbage which is happy to see some cool temperatures. The corn (such as it was after this summers drought) has been taking in, and the beans are being worked on as I type. Normally the cows get turned into the cornfields to graze, but not this year. The nitrates in the corn are too high from the lack of summer rains, and for the cows to eat them would cause death.

Our family has been going through some of life's seasons. In a 3 week period, we have or are about to experience 2 funerals and 2 weddings. A friend is also expecting a baby, and another baby just arrived. The past year our family faced that hard first year loved ones experience after someone passes. We went through that year for 2 family members-gone, but never forgotten. Some family friends of ours also faced that first year. My husbands family is just beginning to face that first year as he lost his aunt last week.

Life goes on, just as the seasons continue to cycle round and round. Sometimes life is rough and not easy, and sometimes the summers are hot and dry and the winters cold and wind. Sometimes life is wonderful and sweet and we have gentle springs and perfect weather. It is all as God planned it.

But, memories are still here. Memories of better days, no sickness, holidays, dinners, stories and jokes. Our mind plays pictures of the past daily. Take pictures, write down the stories and memories. Tell the next generation. Pass it on down.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

VFW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIESThe Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen programs are two of the exclusive awards that the Veterans of Foreign Wars has to offer. The Deadline for these scholarships is Nov. 1.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

We have a old, old black lab, Bo. He is lame after a run in with a UPS truck, and only has had the use of 3 legs for several years.

We have a little black kitten, who got up into the motor of my car and jumped out miles from home. She was missing for almost a week when we found her beside the highway. She was healthy when she disappeared, but lame when we found her. A trip to the vet and a round of steroids helped some, but she still has only half use of one of her front legs.

Since the kitten got injured, the dog has become her best friend. This is how they sleep when it is chilly. Rebecca snapped this picture of them napping a few minutes ago.

The younger lab, Duke likes to chase the kittens now and then, and this one runs to old Bo for protection. Duke won't dare chase the momma cat, as she will turn and slap his nose with her claws out. More than once she has sent him off, whimpering and crying.

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About Me

I'm a mom, currently homeschooling 2 of our 3 daughters still living at home, & stepmom to 2 who have already left home. We also have 3 toddlers we watch part time. Our 5 girls include 2 sets of twins.
This is our 5th year of homeschooling. We farm- have cows, horses, ducks, pigs, chickens, rabbits, dogs,cats & fish. We plant a garden & can & freeze our food. We have 2 stocked ponds, an orchard, & vineyard. Each year we try to expand. Our goal to be more of a homesteading family than a farm family.
My husband works fulltime outside of the home, & is a fire fighter, both paid and volunteer; I work at home. In addition, I also subteach & teach once a week.
I write part time & and sell articles to both print & online publications. I also own a business that teaches CPR, First Aid, babysitting 101, & more. In order to continue to be a stay at home mom (for the most part) I am always researching new ways to be frugal. My hobbies include sewing, reading, baking, needle work, gardening, camping & genealogy, volunteer firefighting & EMT.

My family tree

Genealogy is one of my favorite hobbies. I can spend hours in the library, at cemeteries or on the computer researching and inputting information into my software “Family Tree Maker”. Names in my tree that I am researching include (but are not limited to and of course have various spellings): Espey, also spelled Aspey, Shinabarger, Gray, Hough, Haynes, Lay, Cox, Miller, Lynn, French, Neukommer, Williams, Edgerton, Moore, Baldwin, Hall, Yoder, Rothman, Chadwick, Richards, Brey, Updike, Pierson and more.

A cousin has traced the line back to Austria. I have worked on lines in MO, IN, OR and PA.

If someone needs a grave photo that is located near Clinton Co, Nodaway Co or Johnson Co in Missouri, I can take a digital photo and send it to you for a $20 fee (mainly for my gas). You will get faster response for Clinton Co as that is where I live.

Prayer requests

Our family, as we deal with the loss of Debbie from cancer.

those without jobs

Caleb W

IDES teams as they work in Joplin MO

Daryl Burchetts' family, Daryl passed away from cancer.

Kori-a 16 year old that has been fighting cancer off and on the last several years.

Monette A. (a local homeschooling Christian mom with cancer)

Bryn (recovering from a heart transplant)

Those in or with family in Japan. Japan has disappeared out of the news, but there are still many who are homeless.

Our president

our soldiers away from home and their families here at home

our economy

our youth--our future! May we train them and teach them the way they should be taught

Joplin MO. We have friends who live here. One (Doug) completely lost EVERYTHING. Another, Faith Dunn, lost her life. Our family along with area homeschoolers have volunteered in Joplin and are planning to return.

Soap & Misc recipes

Automatic Dishwasher Soap

Add equal parts of 20 Mule Team Borax and Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (not baking soda!). Stir together until well mixed.
A normal dishwasher will use 2 tablespoons per load